Political Science Major: International Relations/Comparative Politics Concentration
Why study political science, international relations, and comparative politics at CMU?
The political science program provides students with a broad education in liberal arts and politics as well as training for specific career paths. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:
- Close interaction with faculty who specialize in a wide variety of areas such as state and local government, public policy, political theory, and international relations
- Course work designed to teach students to think critically, write well, and speak with confidence
- Professional development through the Political Science Club with projects in public administration, international relations and more
- Internship opportunities throughout Michigan, at the national level, and in international organizations
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Employment of urban and regional planners is expected to grow 9 to 17 percent.
- Employment growth will be driven by the need for state and local governments to provide public services such as regulation of commercial development, the environment, transportation, housing, and land use and development for an expanding population.
- Wage and salary employment in state and local government is projected to increase 11 percent.
- The distribution of federal employment will continue to shift toward a higher proportion of professional, business and financial operations, and protective service workers.
Career options
Graduates of the political science program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Campaign Director
- City and County Manager
- Legislative Assistant
- Lobbyist
- Planner
- Pollster
- Urban Planner
- Speech Writer
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Political Science Major: International Relations/Comparative Politics Concentration
A political science major consists of 33 hours. A minimum of 15 hours of course work must be at the 300 level or above, with at least one course at the 400-500 level. PSC 405 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. Students must choose between the General Political Science Major, the Public Administration Concentration or the International Relations/Comparative Politics Concentration.
Courses taken on a Credit/No Credit basis may not be counted toward political science majors and political science minors. Majors and minors in political science should enroll in PSC 105 as freshmen (see course description). Transfer students majoring in political science will be expected to take at least 15 hours of coursework in the department; transfer minors, 12 hours.
The student is required to take a minimum of three hours in four of the following five fields:
I. American National Political Institutions and Processes;
II. American State and Local Government, Public Administration and Policy;
III. International Relations;
IV. Comparative Politics;
V. Political Theory.
Note: Field II is not applicable to the International Relations/Comparative Politics Concentration.
It is recommended that all political science majors enroll in PSC 280 during their sophomore year.
PSC 398 and PSC 598 are Special Topics courses which may be used to fulfill the area requirements for majors and minors. Permission to do this is based on the substantive content of the course, and requires the consent of the student's major or minor advisor or the department chair. Any regular faculty member in the department can serve as the student's advisor on a major or minor.
Internships: The department has established an internship program where students are provided relevant firsthand work experience. The duration of an internship can vary depending on the number of credit hours (1-12) taken. Students majoring in political science with a concentration in public administration, as well as the minors in public administration and public affairs, are allowed to count three internship credit hours toward their major or minor.
( Total: 33 semester hours
Note: A minimum of 15 hours of PSC course work must be at the 300 level or above, with at least one PSC course at the 400-500 level. PSC 405 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. )
(15 hours)
Required Courses
3
PSC 105 Introduction to American Government and Politics
3
PSC 150 World Politics
3
PSC 242 Introduction to Comparative Politics
3
PSC 280 Introduction to Empirical Methods of Political Research
3
PSC 351 International Relations
(6 hours)
Field I
American National Political Institutions and Processes
Select two of the following courses:
3
PSC 320 The American Legislative Process
3
PSC 321 The American Chief Executive
3
PSC 323 American Parties and Politics
3
PSC 325/PHL 345/REL 345/SOC 345 The Civil Rights Movement
3
PSC 326/WST 326 Women and Politics
3
PSC 327 Lobbying and Interest Group Behavior
3
PSC 328 Campaigns and Elections
3
PSC 421 Constitutional Law: Powers of Government
3
PSC 422 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
3
PSC 520 American National Government and Politics
(3-6 hours)
Field III
International Relations
Select from the following courses:
( Note: If you select 3 from this group, you must select 6 from teh Comparative Politics courses below. )
3
PSC 151 The U.S. and the World
3
PSC 352 US - Latin American Relations
3
PSC 453 American Foreign Policy
3
PSC 551 Seminar in International Relations
3
PSC 555 International Law I
3
PSC 556 International Law II
(3-6 hours)
Field IV
Comparative Politics
Select from the following courses:
( Note: If you select 3 from this group, you must select 6 from the International Relations courses above. )
3
PSC 340 African Political Systems and Processes
3
PSC 341/EUR 303 Comparative Politics: Eastern Europe
3
PSC 342 Comparative Immigration Politics
3
PSC 343 Southeast Asian Political Systems and Processes
3
PSC 344 East Asian Political Systems and Processes
3
PSC 345 Middle Eastern Political Systems
3
PSC 346 The Politics of Islam
3
PSC 347 Comparative Politics: Western Europe
3
PSC 348 Latin American Political Systems
3
PSC 349 Panama: Exploring Politics and Society in a Central American Nation
3
PSC 515 Comparative Public Policy
3
PSC 540 Cultural Heritage and Politics of Eastern Europe
(3 hours)
Field V
Political Theory
Select one of the following courses:
3
PSC 275 Great Political Thinkers
3
PSC 375 Socialism, Fascism, and Liberalism